|Newsletter NCIC 2000 - Linking It All Together

      February 15, 1996
        Volume 1, Number 1
        What is NCIC 2000?
        Since its development in the
        sixties, improvements and additions to National Crime Information
        Center (NCIC) have been implemented to satisfy new requirements
        and to keep pace with growing transaction volumes. NCIC 2000
        is a new system being developed to replace NCIC. NCIC 2000 will
        perform the existing NCIC functions augmented with new capabilities.
        NCIC 2000 will increase capacity, update technology and add fingerprint
        and image processing functions. NCIC 2000 will provide increased
        flexibility to meet future user requirements and will be easier
        to maintain. New and improved capabilities associated with NCIC
        2000 include:
        Addition of image processing
          (i.e., mugshot, signature, identifying marks),Addition of automated single-finger
          fingerprint matching,Automation of some NCIC functions
          that are currently manually performed (e.g., validation, collection
          of benefits data),Access to new databases (e.g.,
          Convicted Person on Supervised Release),Addition of linkage fields,
          providing the ability to associate multiple records with the
          same criminal or the same crime,Access to external databases
          (e.g., the Canadian Police Information Center (CPIC) and the
          Federal Bureau of Prisons' "SENTRY" database), and;Automatic collection of statistics
          for system evaluation.Implementation Schedule and
        Necessary Equipment
        The FBI originally scheduled
        NCIC 2000 to be fully operational in December of 1995. Significant
        problems and addition of new requirements have delayed the implementation
        of this system. NCIC 2000 is now expected to be fully operational
        in the fall of 1999. Many Control Terminal Agencies (CTA) have
        already begun gearing up to take full advantage of this program.
        Although NCIC 2000 will support existing interfaces and equipment,
        it is recommended that agencies begin to replace existing NCIC
        terminals with newer equipment. To take advantage of all the
        features of NCIC 2000, the user will need a workstation at a
        centralized site and special equipment in the patrol car. Equipment
        needed at the workstation includes at least a 386
        personal computer or compatible newer technology, a flat
        bed scanner, a livescan device, an image printer, and two-way
        radio equipment. The patrol car will need a mobile display, keyboard,
        a one-finger livescan, radio interface, and a camera. Of course,
        an agency does not have to have all of this equipment. An agency
        can have partial implementation of NCIC 2000 functionality but
        all agencies need to be able to receive NCIC 2000 text responses
        when NCIC 2000 is installed and need to be able to send NCIC
        2000 transaction formats within three years of its initial implementation.
        Within that three year span, agencies must migrate from bisync
        protocols to one of the newer protocols (X.25, SNA, or TCP/IP).
        The FBI will make all its workstation design and software available
        for implementation and/or customization by the user. Hopefully,
        this will assist the agencies in quickly developing their interfaces.
        However, it should be noted that once you have customized the
        software, upgrades may be more difficult to integrate.
        New Faces
        NCIC 2000 project development
        and administration has moved from the Criminal Justice Information
        Services (CJIS) division of the FBI to the Information Resources
        Division (IRD). Ms. JoAnn Casteel, the new project manager, brings
        extensive experience in monitoring and administrating large projects.
        In addition, the FBI has hired or transferred system analysts,
        risk management personnel, and program administrators into the
        NCIC 2000 Program Office. The FBI is also in the process of hiring
        additional data processing professionals to keep this project
        on time and on budget. The FBI has sought out varied technical
        advice as well. MITRE and User Technology Associates, expert
        systems/software engineering firms, have personnel on site to
        assist with the technical oversight of the project development.
        The Illinois State Police (ISP) has temporarily assigned two
        staff members, a system analyst and an operational expert, to
        IRD for six months. The FBI has confidence that this new team
        will ensure the successful and timely development and implementation
        of the NCIC 2000 system.
        Progress, Plans and Problems
        As stated previously, NCIC 2000
        has had significant design and implementation challenges. The
        following is a list of some problems with which the FBI is still
        wrestling with. Although this list is not all inclusive, it will
        provide you with the flavor of the problems encountered by NCIC
        2000.
        Harris Corporation, the company
          that is developing NCIC 2000, has submitted Change Order Proposal
          (COP) 8 which contains their technical approach to complete development
          of NCIC 2000. In addition, it includes the cost and schedule
          estimates to finish the effort. After intense negotiations, the
          FBI has accepted a modified COP 8.The Advisory Policy Board (APB)
          has levied new requirements, such as the Violent Gang/Terrorist
          Organization File, the Protective Order File and the Deported
          Felon file, that will be implemented into the current NCIC in
          1996. These new files will also be operational in the NCIC 2000
          environment.Preliminary design is incomplete
          for new functionality such as On-Line Special Requests (SPRQ),
          delayed query and data extracts.The FBI was just recently provided
          with the Workstation (WS), MIU and Computer Based Training (CBT)
          software for product evaluation. Hands-on review may uncover
          unforeseen problems. This newsletter will keep you posted on
          how the FBI's review progresses.The images captured by the patrol
          car segment are gray scale, but are not the ANSI/NIST standard.
          The size of ANSI/NIST standard fingerprint images prohibits transmission
          over mobile radio frequency networks. If an agency wants to submit
          an image to the local or state Automated Fingerprint Identification
          System (AFIS), it will have to develop modifications in the Mobile
          Imaging Unit and the Workstation software.APB Meeting Update
        At the APB meeting in December,
        the APB had three recommendations for the NCIC 2000 program.
        One recommendation requires the NCIC 2000 program staff to write
        an impact document on cessation of all work on the MIU and the
        WS. Another recommendation requires the NCIC 2000 program office
        to study the feasibility of integrating NCIC 2000 and Integrated
        Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS) imaging by
        adopting the same format and compression standard. The NCIC 2000
        staff was to develop a contingency plan in the event that negotiations
        with Harris Corporation failed or if Harris is unable to meet
        discrete milestones.
        Please Note:Although NCIC will support existing interfaces
        and equipment, it is recommended that agencies begin to replace
        existing NCIC terminals with newer equipment. Although NCIC 2000
        will run on a 386 computer, it is recommended that the user acquire
        the fastest compatible processor at the time of the purchase.

      State Your Opinion

      This space is provided for
        authorized criminal justice agencies to provide commentary, questions,
        or suggestions. We will provide an answer to all questions. If
        you would like to submit an article, send it to:
        Federal Bureau
        of Investigation
        Attn: Ms. Katina Mackall
        Room 9504
        NCIC 2000 Program Office
        935 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
        Washington, DC 20535This first article
        was submitted by the Illinois State Police.

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      Each state eagerly anticipates
        the new functions that NCIC 2000 will bring to the local agency
        and the individual police officer. Illinois is no different.
        In this highly mobile world, it is even more imperative that
        officers know with whom they are dealing. The functionality that
        will be available through NCIC 2000 is much needed by the law
        enforcement community. Getting information to the officer in
        the car, having photographic images available and using single
        fingerprint technology to provide immediate positive identification
        will ensure increased officer safety while minimizing the risk
        of detaining the wrong individual. As such, Illinois has several
        initiatives underway that fit under the umbrella of providing
        NCIC 2000 type functionality to police officers.
        One of these initiatives involves
        upgrading and expanding the ALERTS mobile data network. Currently,
        the ALERTS network, which was created and is managed by the Illinois
        Criminal Justice Information Authority, provides mobile data
        service to over 200 law enforcement agencies in an 18 county
        area. In March 1995, the Illinois State Police formed a partnership
        with the Authority for the purpose of expanding and enhancing
        the ALERTS network. Since that time, a number of other agencies,
        realizing the benefits the new network can provide, have joined
        the partnership and will be providing funding to make Phase I
        of the project a reality. The goal of this cooperative, three-phased
        project is to upgrade the existing system so that it is a statewide,
        high speed network capable of transmitting images and meeting
        state and local agencies' mobile data needs now and in the future.
        The Illinois State Police is
        also releasing an image-based Violent Crime Tracking and Linking
        system application called VITAL that provides photographic images
        of known gang members. While currently being used as an intelligence
        tool, the true value of such technology will come when the officer
        is capable of receiving these images in the vehicle. ISP is also
        completing the groundwork necessary to rewrite our 26 year old
        statewide data network known as LEADS. Once completed, it will
        be a WAN based network capable of supporting applications such
        as VITAL.
        Another objective is the positive
        and rapid identification of those arrested for reportable crimes
        by upgrading our AFIS and adding single print identification.
        Illinois is also reviewing use of single fingerprint technology
        for visitor control in maximum security prisons. As the state
        pursues these initiatives, one of the primary goals is to ensure
        images are compatible in all systems. Therefore, the Illinois
        State Police is urging the use of the IAFIS approved ANSI/NIST
        standards. If these standards are adopted, states, such as Illinois,
        will be able to link photos to positive identification of individuals
        and share information across systems.
        Our two primary concerns in implementing
        NCIC 2000 are the need for standards and funding. Illinois is
        looking to the NCIC 2000 project to continue setting federal
        standards for positive identification technology and the exchange
        of criminal history information. We encourage the meshing of
        standards between the IAFIS and NCIC 2000 projects. Standards
        defined at the federal level have a rippling effect throughout
        state and local government. The leadership exercised in the NCIC
        2000 project will benefit all levels of law enforcement if the
        program is given proper support and commitment from law enforcement
        agencies across the country.
        Implementation of NCIC 2000 will
        require each state to update its law enforcement network. This
        will be a major expense for each state and many large cities
        and counties. A unified and aggressive effort is needed within
        each state and across the country to ensure necessary funding
        is provided for each level of government. With federal funding
        agencies moving toward block grants and perhaps a decreased role
        for state planning agencies in awarding these funds, care must
        be taken to ensure NCIC 2000 is developed as a system with each
        component -- federal, state and local -- being developed and
        supported in concert with one another.

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